Business Makeover Old Town Victorville Edition: Facade improvement project to beautify Old Town VV

This story was updated to correct a typo.

Victorville secured funding last year to improve building facades along D and 7th streets in an effort to revitalize Old Town Victorville .

Thanks to Community Development Grant Block Funds (CDGB), Old Town businesses can receive up to $50,000 for a facade make-over via the Old Town Commercial Facade Improvement Program.

Applications opened on Monday, Sept. 16, and will close on Monday, Sept. 30 for Old Town Victorville businesses to apply for new signage, new awnings, exterior lights, anti-graffiti treatment, and ADA enhancements.

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The city aims to finish the facade beautification project before Route 66's centennial anniversary in two years.

"We just want people to have another form of entertainment and joy when they visit the city of Victorville," said Deputy City Manager Tony Camargo on the newest " What's the Tea VV " city podcast.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and the city encourages Old Town businesses to apply as soon as possible .

Further Old Town investments

Victorville also took action to waive all development impact fees in 2022 as a way to entice new development in the Old Town area, according to Camargo.

Additionally, the city is in the process of having the first CRIA, Community Revitalization Investment Authority, established in California.

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CRIAs are an economic development and affordable housing tool enacted into law by Assembly Bill 2 in 2015.

Under the bill, local government agencies are authorized to finance the revitalization of disadvantaged communities through planning and financing infrastructure improvements, economic development activities, and affordable housing tax increments.

Camargo broke down how the tax increments work in the city of Victorville.

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When home values go up and homeowners either refinance or sell, the tax increments fund the CRIA. These funds aren't collected overnight, Camargo explained, instating the need for other funding measures in the meantime like the CDGB grant for Old Town.

Public Information Officer Sue Jones asked Camargo to clarify the misinformation regarding the city of Victorville looking to change the configuration of 7th Street on the recent podcast.

He confirmed that there is a Request for Proposal (RFP) right now for a streetscape improvement that will allow pedestrian-friendly, on-street parking and enable more convenient shop access. The city hopes to implement the Old Town parking improvement within the next year.

Victorville is also planning mixed-use infrastructure in Old Town. Under this plan, the first story of commercial buildings will be retail and the second and third stories will be residential.

"We really would like to see that. ... If residents can live there, shop there, it will really enhance the area."

McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Business Makeover Old Town Victorville Edition: Facade improvement project to beautify Old Town VV